Halfway to expiry (according to the stats)

It's official: I'm halfway dead (sounds like a song that is rocketing up the top 40 chart, showing my age). As an Australian by birth (by the way, I had no choice in the matter), my life expectancy is 84, blame (in a good way) universal healthcare, because in the US I'd only get to 78.5.  There's no telling when we'll all expire, heck, the Mayans said the world should have ended on 12.12.2012. 

Bottom line: wherever we may live, let's not take life for granted. Even in developed nations with a high life expectancy there's no guarantee on the length of existence, and most importantly the enjoyment we get in life. Whenever you're having down day, remember are fellow earthlings in the Central African Republic, in 2021 their life expectancy is only 53.

And now, the best way to usher in middle-age: via a 300-second rate, of course!

Magic Point, Malabar Headland National Park - Sydney (March 11, 2021)

The tale of the two M's

Time for another classic vlog from the territory formerly known as New Holland, provides a nice little transition to today's commentary. Shout-out to the two M's, Mark and Mario, you make geopolitics sexy. I won't mention their last names, after all, this is the home of global citizens. I understand that most you will be doing a web search, it's the world we live in, we get too caught up in a washed up Superpower (shall remain nameless). 

Don't be fooled by the pristine scenery, the backdrop is one of the first areas where Anglo-Saxons went on an annihilation rampage, nearly putting end to the world's oldest civilisation. Anyway, here's 299 seconds that should give you some geopolitical ammunition for your next discussion at the water cooler (or for those of you scared of human spittle via a plastic screen).

Observatory Hill, Millers Point - Sydney (22/2/2021)

Salutations from Djubuguli

As the world recovers from every newspaper (they still exist, well, barely) front page devoted to our American lust, not to mention, everyone's social media feeds - okay, we get it, life is all about impressing Uncle Sam. Let's turn our focus to the nation that gets no ones attention (Australia), unless of course you're obsessed with animals with pouches. Today is Invasion Day (aka Australia Day) in the arse end of the world, something tells me no front pages outside Australia are devoting even one sentence to this day, such is the hatred towards this convict colony. 

Anyway, for those not familiar with this part of the world, here's a mini detour of the city at the forefront of Australian settlement in 1788, aptly named after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney. Why name a city in honour of the native Aboriginal people (world's oldest civilisation dating back 50,000 years), when you can pay homage to a pasty Englishman with homicidal (and of course, racist) tendencies. 

Let's cut to the chase, the British settlers were a bunch of exterminators hell-bent on eradicating those that didn't share their skin tone. Hey America, you're not the only one with a "proud" pillaging history. Enjoy the scenery, but never forget the cruelty laid upon these lands by a people known for bad teeth, lack of cuisine and a sheer hatred of native inhabitants. Let's hope by next Australia Day, Sydney is renamed Djubuguli, its rightful indigenous name. Cue the backlash from "pure" Anglo-Saxon Aussies.

Captain Cook's Landing Spot - Kurnell

Harbour foreshore, Lavender Bay

JRB all the way (note: 42nd POTUS is 4 years his junior)

The world has a new President, I think by now we all know that those outside the US lose more sleep over its predicament than those within. Case in point: the arse end of the world. During the Jan 6, 2021 shenanigans at the Capitol, the great racist land went into total meltdown, even people walking their dogs were talking about it. To be frank, I might have to leave Australia to get away from the hyperventilation over all things stars and stripes. To calm down conspiracy theorists, no, foreigners didn't cast a vote. You see general elections in any given country are inherently racist, they only allow the citizenry to vote. Long story short: 81,281,502 (as of writing) true patriots voted for the old white codger, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (JRB).

These United States are on the precipice this Inauguration Day. There are five questions (two foreign, three domestic) to pose to JRB, America's oldest commander-in-chief (at the ripe old age of 78 years and 61 days) and his new administration: 

1) Do you maintain the status quo by relying on the global terror power, saudi Arabia to do your dirty work in the Middle East? 

2) Do you denounce China for what it is, a a communist crony capitalist outpost that is committing genocide on a daily basis (refer to )? 

3) Is universal healthcare attainable? (even though you clearly think it's a pipe-dream). 

4) Will you be a consensus President? Even though 74,222,593 (as of writing) citizens clearly want him dead and prefer a homicidal narcissist. 

5) Will you be an executive order leader or use your razor thin senate majority to pass legislation through a bipartisan approach?

Next Inauguration Day (that's right people, I'm pressing fast-forward) is Jan 20, 2025, let's see if/how the above questions have been answered. One more thing, let's hope JRB is still alive! The average life expectancy of an American white male living in Washington, D.C. is 82 (JRB will be 82 years and 61 days when his term ends or is sworn in once again). For now, let's all shed a collective tear for the first states first president, about time Delaware (est. Dec 7, 1787).

Footnote: I understand that many suffer from short memories, so here's a mini recap of the six Presidents that came before. Listen carefully, you'll pick up a common theme (clue: it has to do with homicidal tendencies). 

Let's end MMXX with some levity

I thought I'd end the blogging year with a good news story from the arse end of the world. That's right people, in the barren cultural wasteland of Australia and its concrete epicentre (Sydney), a new cultural institution has opened, the Chau Chak Wing Museum (CCWM). 

Those outside Sydney might be asking: why should we give two hoots about culture in a city founded by homicidal Anglo-Saxon maniacs hell bent on eradicating the natives? I'll tell you why: in a city with a reliance on beaches, superficiality (its residents are sheep drowning in debt to buy ugly suburban houses) and boxed malls, it's a miracle that a new museum has opened, especially in the year that was meant to wipe out humanity (tickle me pink, earth is still going).

FYI: Australia has shut itself off to (non resident) overseas arrivals - talk about racism at its highest level (NZ visitors don't count, as they live in a backward land).

Introducing the CCWM Est. 18/11/2020 (on the grounds of the University of Sydney), mini tour provided by your fellow earthling, yours truly. 

News and notes

The US election is a mere afterthought now that an old white man has replaced another old white man (it's the 21st Century, I repeat it's the 21st century). The following is my final take on the turnout.

USA, USA, USA! The country that dominates our daily lives and gives us a reason to live, has once again flunked at democracy. A "whopping" 67% of eligible voters were bothered to take part in democracy this Presidential cycle. Now, attaining a D-grade (as according to the US grading system) is no cause for celebration. The silver-lining: this was the largest turnout since 1900 when 74% was achieved. Let's cut to the chase, out of 35 recent elections globally, the US comes in 30th for turnout. 

Footnote: As GE represents the world, I recognise that the majority of earthlings will not be entering 2021. I wish all my readers/viewers all the best for 1442 (Muslim), 2077 (Hindu), 2563 (Buddhist), 5781 (Jewish), and to all the many others that will be bringing in a year that doesn't adhere to Christian constructs.